Is your Chromebook “Walking dead”, do you have a “Zombie Chromebook”? All ChromeOS devices have an AUE date, or Auto Update Expiration date. After this date the device will no longer receive updates and therefore new features. For most modern Chromebooks the AUE date is eight years after the release date of the device, note this is the manufacture release / launch date of the device not the date the device was purchased. Older model Chromebooks or second-hand devices may have a AUE date which is significantly shorter.

How to find the AUE date of your Chromebook

1. Open Settings – To do this click on the time in the bottom right of the screen.
2. Select About ChromeOS from the settings dialog.
3. Select Additional details
4. The Update schedule section shows the device AUE date when the Chromebook will receive its last update

What happens after the AUE date has expired?

Chromebook devices will continue to work after the device AUE date, however the device will not receive any updates to its operating system, ChromeOS. This means that the user will not get access to new features, bug fixes and security patches. All of these make the device suboptimal this is particularly the case for schools where device security is paramount. School districts should therefore plan to recall devices before their device AUE date expires.